Link mounted brake



Nov. 20, 1951 c. E. BRICKER 2,575,578

LINK MOUNTED BRAKE Filed June 14. 1947 2 SHEETS-SHEET l /QTTORNEY Nov. 20, 1951 c. E. BRICKER 2,575,578

LINK MOUNTED BRAKE Filed June 14, 1947 2 SHEETS- SHEET z I ze 22; za z3 23 N n I4 I9 LI5 16 17 I9 14, -INVENTOIL CARL f. 3R/CMR Patented Nov. 20, 1951 LINK MOUNTED BRAKE Carl E. Bricker, Akron, Ohio, assignor to Wingfoot Corporation, Akron, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application June 14, 1947, Serial No. 754,705

11 claims. (c1. iss-152) Y This invention relates to brakes, and, more particularly, to brakes for use on vehicles, such as automobiles and airplanes, and is specically concerned with single-disc, spot-pressure type brakes, and with means for mounting the same.

It is the general object of the invention to provide an inexpensive, but rugged brake assembly which will be fully operative over long periods with a minimum of attention and repair and incorporating mechanism providing for brake Wear and brake clearance.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means for mounting a single-disc, spottype brake, said means functioning to insure full surface contact of braking surfaces even after brake wear, and operating to establish braking clearances after each applicationrof the brake.

The foregoing objects of the invention, and other objects which will become apparent as the description proceeds, are achieved by the provision of a brake combination including a fixed member, a rotatable member, a brake disc carried with the rotatable member, a C-shaped element extending around the disc, means carried by the element for applying braking pressure to one side of the disc, and link means pivotally securing the element to the fixed member and allowing movement of the element into full surface engagement with the disc upon actuation of the means for applying braking pressure. Preferably incorporated with the link means are spring means to eiect a spring back of the braking parts of the combination so that adequate clearance is provided between all parts of the brake when the brake is not actuated.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly broken away, of one embodiment of the invention;

F1Fig. 2 is a plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on line III-III of Fig. l, and illustrating details of mounting the pressure cylinder in the C-shaped element of the brake;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view through the brake assembly taken substantially on line IV-IV of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line V-V of Fig. 2 and illustrating the details of the link mounting;

Fig. 6 is a substantially vertical cross-sectional view taken on line VI-VI of Fig. 1 and Showing details of the link mounting; and

Figs. 1, 5 and 6 of the drawings.

Fig. 7 is a vertical, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of a modification of the resilient means for providing spring-back mounting of the assembly, and

Figure 8 is an enlargement of a portion ,of Figure 5 and better illustrates the details of the spring Washers incorporated in the apparatus. to provide spring back.

It will be understood that the principles of the invention are broadly applicable tov brakes adapted for a wide Variety of uses. However, the invention is particularly concerned with brakes for vehicles, and specifically, automobiles, and, accordingly, the invention has been so illustrated and will be so described.

In the drawings, the numeral I indicates an automobile axle upon which bearings 2 rotatably support a hub 3. A wheel 4- is removably secured in known manner to the hub 3 and a disc 5 havingan integral attaching flange 6 is also secured to the hub. Bolts 1 show one typical means for securing the wheel and the brake disc ange 5 to the hub, although it is obvious that other means may be employed.

The axle I illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4 of the drawings, is the front wheel axle of an automobile, and` as best seen in. Fig. 1, includes hinge knuckles 8 by which the axle is pivotally mounted on the vehicle in such manner that the wheels can be turned by the ,steering apparatus. 'I'he axle I and knuckles 8 are preferably formed integral, and are provided with integral downwardly extending lugs 9, andNwith an integral upwardly extending lug I0..`.S,ecured to thelugs .9 and I0 by cap screws II and I2 is a yoke member, indicated as a whole bythe numeral I3,y and having roughly a C-shape in side .elevation as illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig.`6 illustratesvhow the yoke I3 is formed with integral laterally extend'- ing ears I4 which pivotally support a U-member I5. Details of the U-member I5 are best seen in The pivotal supporting action between the ears III of the yoke I3 and the U-member I5 is achieved preferably by means of a bolt I6 which extends through suitable apertures in the ears I4 and which is received in a hole II in the U-member. y

An importantfeature of the invention is tlie provision of Oilite bearings I8 between the bolt I6 and the apertures in the ears I 4. These Oilite bearings, made in the half spool shape shown, are of any suitable self-lubricatingmaterial of, for example, known powdered metal and soaked oil or graphite composition. yAlso associated with each bearing is a Belleville 3 spring I9, which is the trade name for a spring in the shape of a washer, the washer having a normal concavity which is ilattened when the bolt I6 is tightened into place, so that the flattened washer spring exerts a tensioning thrust axially of the bolt I6. The advantageous functional result of Ithe use of the spring washers I9 will beftl'escribe'dl` hereinafter in explaining the operation of the brake assembly. A castle nut and cotter key is usually employed with the bolt In Fig. 7 is shown a modication of the means for providing resilient spring-back. Specifically, the Belleville springs I9 and 2 are replaced by rubber gaskets or washers 2B which effect dirt seals and provide spring-back for clearance. The rubber Washers 2l), prior to beingI compressed as shown in Fig. 7, are thicker than the. anges of the spools I8 so that ythe sealing and springbackaction notedare obtained.

,."llhe' U -memb'er .l5 is 'in'turn formed with legs orf lugs 2I, asseen in Figs. 1 .and 5, .and screws 22 extend through suitable 'apertures in the legs Y`2I and are received in appropriately tapped holes 2'3inan end portion 24 of a'C-clamp, indicated as .a Whole by the .numeral v25., which clamp 25 eX- tends around Athe brake discl in the manner illustrated in Figs. 2A and 4. Self lubricating bear- .ngs of half spool shape are positioned between the screws`22 and the legs 2l of the U- member I5, and again a concave spring washer 21 provides vresiliency axially of the screws 22. i-Setscrews'28 lock the screws 22 .in place. Of course,A the Belleville spring Washers 21 may be replaced with rubber washers 2S, as shown in the .modification of Fig. 7.

C-.clamp25 is Jformediwth an appropriate bore 23 whichremovably-receives a cylinder 30 which -issecuredin the bore-by screws 3 I. The .cylinder Lslidably receives a piston 32 which removably -carr'ies at fitsclosed end .a round plug. 33 of fricmaterial which is adapted to be moved against the side of the .brake disc 5. The por- .tion ofthe. C-clamp 25 opposed to the'plug 33 of friction material .is likewise provided with a recess-'34 which removably receives. a round plug 35offriction material which .is adapted to engage vwith 'theopposite side of the brake disc 5. VVThehead of the cylinder3() is.formed with a central, inwardly directed` boss 36 which is internally threaded, as-at. 37, and which receives a .threaded -plug BShaving a recess 39.. Extend- -ing through lan aperture in the .bottom of the boss is a pin 4.0 vwhich extends into the `recess 35.oftheplug138. The plug compresses packing lll into .engagement with the pin48 so that the is Ifrictionally held against movement until certain predetermined forces have beenexceeded. The endof the ,pin '40 is .headed,.as at 42, and is .received in a suitable recess in .the inside of the headof'the piston '32, anda round plate 43 slidr`ably mounted on the vpin 45 extends snugly insideofthe skirt of the piston 32,V but is free to .move with respect thereto. An externally .threaded collar 4'4 is screwed in on threads 45 on the inside of the -skirt of the piston 32 and 4.engages with .a concave washer spring of the `type heretofore mentioned, and .identied by vthe ..11umerall46. .The -spring 45 engages with the plate 43.

`fCompleting the assembly is a gasket 41 posivtioned between the piston 32 and the cylinder "3D, and a conduit '48 supplies iiuid under pressure -ftd the cavity in theY cylinder behind thepiston.

In'th'e operation of 'the brake assembly de- ISI scribed, when uid under pressure is admitted through the conduit 48 to the cylinder 39, the piston 32 is moved in a direction out of the cylinder towards the C-clamp 25 (in Fig. 4 of the drawing the piston moves to the left). This will move the plug 33 of friction material against one side of the brake disc 5, and at this time the entire C-clainp 25 will move in the opposite direction to bring the plug of friction material 35 into engagement with the opposite side of the brake disc 5. (In Fig. 4 of the drawings as plug 33 of friction material is moved to the left into engagement with .the right hand side of the brake discv 5, the C-clarnp 25 moves to the right to bring the plug 35 of friction material into engagement with the left hand side of the brake fdlisc 5.)

It willbe recognized that the movement of the C-clamp 25 in the manner just described is made possible by the double hinge mounting of the 'i3-clamp with respect to the fixed portions of the brake assembly, namely, the axle I. More specifically the U-shaped member 15 is pivota'lly 4secured at one end to the xed arbor I3, and the other Vend of the U-member, namely the legs 2i,

are pivotally secured to the C-clamp. The selflubr'icating bearings i8 and 25 in the hinge means `mounting the C-clamp provide a relatively free movement of the C-clamp and allow it to adjust itself so that the plugs Stand 35 of friction material have engagement over lsubstantially their full surface areas with the brake disc 5, and this is true even after the plugs have had considerable wear. In fact, the mounting of the G-clamp rpermits readjustment of the position of the C-clamp as the plugs wear.

An important feature of the'invention is that when the vuid pressure on the brake is released, the springs I9 and 2l in the hinge mounting of the C-clamp function to provide just'enough resiliency and spring-back so that the plug 35 of friction material l'carried by the C-clamp 25 is moved a short distance away from the face of the `brake disc 5 to reestablish brake clearance between the plug and disc. In actual practice,- this clearance is relatively small, and it is possible for the spring washers i9 'and 2 to function in 'the manner described even though the primary resiliency of these washers is in a direction axially Voi the bolt I3 and screws 22 forming the hinge pins. Figure 8 illustrates the position and operation of the washers with the outer edge of the washer engaging one member and the inner edge of the washer engaging the other mem-ber. Thus, the washers have a'small torsional resiliency to aid in spring back and clearance as described. Additionally, it may be that the bolt I3 and screws 22 are subjected to slight torsional 'actions Yor stresses, and the relief of these stresses may assist in reestablishing the small clearance lbetween the plug 35 and thebrake disc 5. Also, the structural assembly is such that excessive movement of the assembly due to vibrationl and road shocks is prevented.

Returning now to the mechanism associated with the piston 32, as duid under pressure is supplied by the conduit 48 to the back of the piston and the piston begins to move outwardly of the cylinder, the spring 46 is compressed between the collar 44 and the plate 43, the plate 43 being held in a stationary position by the pin 40. 'The resilient movement of the -spring 43 is ordinarily enough to allow the plug 33 of friction material to move into engagement with the disc 5 `and to cause the movement of the C-clamp A25 to bring asimisthe plug35 of friction' material into engagementv with the opposite side ofthe disc 5. Upon the release of iiuid pressure behind the piston 32, the spring 46 acts to return the piston 32 to retracted position. A Y

vIt should be noted here that the movement of the piston as effected by the spring d is somewhat greater than twice the clearance between the brake disc 5 and either friction plug. This is because the plug 33 must move away from the disc 5 a distance about equal to twice the brake clearance so that as the C-clamp 25 moves in the manner heretofore described to move the plug 35 away from the brake disc 5, the plug 33 will still have a normall brake clearance with the brake disc 5.

In the operation of the brake, the continued application of the plugs 33 and 35 of friction material against the opposite sides of the brake disc 5 will gradually result in wear on the plugs so that there will come a time when the piston moves towards the brake disc to fully compress the spring 46 but Without fully engaging the plugs 33 and 35 with full pressure against the brake disc 5. When this occurs, the pressure behind the piston 32 is suiciently greater than the resistance to movement of the pin 40, as effected by the packing 4I', that the pin 4U, and plate 43, will move out with the piston to allow the full braking action of the piston. (In Fig. 4 of the drawings, the pin 45 will move to the left.) The pin 40 is thus established in a new position and will remain in this position until further wear of the brake occurs at which time the pin 40 will again reposition itself along with the plate 43 so as to reestablish the normal functioning of the brakes, and to maintain the clearances between the plugs 33 and 35 and the brake disc 5 at a normal minimum amount even after extended wear of the plugs.

It will be recognized from the foregoing that the various objects of the invention have been achieved by the provision of a simple, rugged, relatively inexpensive and operative brake mechanism which is adapted to function over long periods of time with a minimum of attention or repair. The brake operates with a minimum of clearance, and thus pedal movement, even after extended wear of the friction material in the brake. C-clamp in the brake assembly insures that the C-clamp can readily move to allow full area surface bearing and pressure ofthe friction means of the brake at al1 times during the operation of the brake, and after any amount of wear on the friction plugs in the brake. Furthermore, the improved brake assembly is particularly adapted for use with vehicles and specifically automobiles, being readily associated with the front or rear wheels thereof.

While in accord with the patent statutes, one best known embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described in detail, it is to be particularly understood that the invention is not to be limited thereto or thereby, but that the scope of the invention is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. The combination in a brake of a fixed member and a rotatable member, a brake disc carried with the rotatable member, a, C-shaped element extending around the disc, means carried by the element for applying braking pressure to one side of the disc, linkmeans pivotally securing the element to the fixed member and allowing movement of the element into full surface engagement The double hinge mounting of the with the disc upon actuation of the means for applying braking pressure, and resilient means associated with the link means and with the meansV for applying braking pressure for re-establshing braking clearance afterv brake applications and wear.

2. The combination in a brake of a xed member and a rotatable member, a brake disc carried with the rotatable member, a C-shaped element extending around the disc, means carriedv by the element for applyingbraking pressure to one side of the disc, link means pivotally securing the element to the xed member and allowing movement of the element into full surface engagement with the disc upon actuation of the means for applying braking pressure, and resilient means associated with the link means for reestablishing braking clearance after b-rake applications and wear.

A3. The combination in a brake of a fixed member and a rotatable member, a brake disc carried with the rotatable member, a C-shaped element extending around the disc, means carried by the element for applying braking pressure to one side of the disc, link means pivotally securing the element to the fixed member and allowing movement of the element` into full surface engagement with the disc upon actuation of the means for applying braking pressure, and resilient lmeans associated with the means for applying braking pressure for re-establishing braking clearance after brake applications and wear.

4. The combination in a brake of a fixed member and a rotatable member, a brake disc carried with the rotatable member, a C-shaped element extending around the disc, means carried by the element for applying braking pressure to one side of the disc, and link means pivotally securing the element to the fixed member and allowing movement of the element into full surface engagement with the disc upon actuation of the means for applying braking pressure.

5. The combination in a brake of a fixed mema' ber and a rotatable member, a brake disc carried with the rotatable member, a C-shaped element extending around the disc, means carried by the element for -applying braking pressure to one side of the disc, link means pivotally securing the element to the fixed member and allowing movement of the element into full surface engagement with the disc upon actuation of the means for applying braking pressure, a resiliently positioned piston associated with the means for applying braking pressure, a friction positioned stop limiting the return movement of the piston, and means for repositioning the stop when the pressure stroke of the piston exceeds a given amount.

6. A brake assembly including an axle, a wheel journaled on the axle, an endless brake element carried with the wheel, pressure cylinder means for applying a spot of brake pressure to the element, link means pivotally secured to the axle and pivotally secured to the pressure cylinder means to allow proper contact between the brake element and the pressure cylinder means at all stages of brake wear and holding the pressure cylinder means against rotation with the brake element, the pivotal connections between the link means and the axle and pressure cylinder having axes parallel to the plane of the brake element.

'7. A brake assembly including an axle, -a wheel journaled on the axle, an endless brake element carried with the Wheel, pressure cylinder means for applying brake pressure to the element, means pivotally Secured to 4the axle and pvotaly secured to the pressure cylinder means tol allow proper contact between the brake element and thepressure cylinder means at all stages of brake Wear and holding the pressure cylinder means against rotation with the brake element, said pivotal securing means having pivotal axes para allel to the plane of the brake element.

8. A brake assembly including an axle, a .wheel `iournaled on the axle, a brake disc carried. by the wheel, a yoke xed relative to the axle, a U-shaped member, pivotal connections securing the member at spaced points on its base to the yoke, a fluid pressure braking unit havingvportions positioned on opposite sides of .the brake disc, the legs of the U-shaped member extending into proximity with the unit, pivotal connections securing the legs to the unit, means associated with the pivotal connections providing for `spring-back to re-establish brake clearance between. the unit and the disc, and resilientsmeans in ,the unit providing brake clearance in an amount substantially twice the clearance provided by the spring-back.

9. A brake assembly including an axle, a Wheel journaled on the axle, a brake disc carried by the Wheel, a yoke xed relative to the axle, a U- shaped member, pivotal connections securing the member at spaced points on its base to the yoke; a uid pressure braking unit of C-shape straddling an arcuate portion of the brake disc, the legs of the U-shaped member extending into proximity with the unit, pivotal connections securing the legs to the unit, and means associated with the pivotal connections providing for springback to re-establish brake clearance between the unit and the disc. l

10. A brake assembly including an axle, a

wheel :our-nakedv en tbe, axle. a; brake dise car ried lby the wheeLa yoke nxe. reIatveto the axlaga- UY-shaped member, pivotal connections securing the member at spaced points on its base to the yoke, a fluid pressure braking unitA of (lf-shape surrounding an arcuate portion 0f the brake disc, the legs of the U-shaped member eX- tending into proximity with the unit, and pivotal connections securing the legs to the unit.

1l. The combination in a brake assembly of a rotatable brake disc, and a fixed member, pressure-applying hydraulic cylinder means, means pivotally Supporting the pressure-applying nydraulic cylinder means on the xed member so that it can apply braking pressure on the rotatable brake disc, and resilient means associated with the pivotal supporting means for insuring Springfback of the pivotal supporting means to provide brake clearance, said pivotal supporting means having pivotal axes parallel to the .plane of the brake disc.

CARL E. BRICKER.

REFERENCES CITED `The following references are of record in the file of this patent;

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name `Date 2,150,631 Piron Mar. 14, 1939 2,167,508 Herold July 25, 1939 2,236,898 Eksergian Apr. 1, 1941 2,288,059 Williams June 30, 1942 2,294,452 Guy Sept. 1, 19,42

' 2,351,041 Hawley June 13, 19.44 2,380,803 Tack July 31, 1945 2,392,970 Bricker Jan. 15, 1946 2,460,248 Baselt Jan. 25, 1949 

